Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Terry Hershey's interest in the environment contributed to making her an advocate for the conservation of nature. Her venture into the parks and recreation field, fighting against destroying vegetation,led her to raise...

In her oral history, Sharlee Friend describes her experience as a social worker. Friend first worked with the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) grant program beginning in 1963. She later worked on the Texas Rehabilitation Joint...

Billie Carr came from a family interested in politics. Her interest in politics started in 1950s, when she went to a meeting of the Steel Workers' Union of which her husband was the President, and saw the appalling living conditions of the Chicano...

Raj Kumar Syal came from a little village, Bilga, in Punjab. After completing his undergraduate degree from Punjab, India, he moved to USA to study engineering. His undergraduate degree in engineering was from Texas A&M, and Master's degree from...

After his graduation from Harvard Business School during the depression, Milton Berman began working in the retail trade in Boston, then Brooklyn, and eventually finding his way to Houston in 1964 as chairman and CEO of Foley's Department Store. In...

Born in Lenders, Texas, Truett Latimer entered the insurance business in Abilene, Texas after graduation till 1955. During that time, he won a seat in the Texas House of Representatives, and was elected four times as a State Representative. He...

Joseph "Joe" Jamail talks about growing up in Houston in the 1930s and his career as one of the top lawyers in America. He is considered one of the wealthiest lawyers in the nation and is often referred to as the King of Torts. Joe has given...

Ed Gerlach began playing piano at the age of 5 before switching his focus to soprano saxophone and later tenor saxophone. Gerlach discusses his career as a saxophonist, including his time with the Glenn Miller Orchestra. Gerlach also share his...

Félix Fraga discusses his life as a Hispanic growing up in Houston; race relations; his work as a social worker; and his long career at Ripley House, a recreational, educational and health center in Houston founded in 1940.

Bob Eckel's interest in politics started early, when got involved in the political aspect of teachers' organizations. In 1960 he was elected to the HISD Board. He ran for the Commisioner's Court and got elected. According to Eckels, his proudest...

Lewis Cutrer was the Mayor of Houston from 1957 to 1963. He defeated long-time mayor Roy Hofheinz and was succeeded by Louis Welch in 1963. In this interview Mr. Cutrer discusses desegregation, community relations, and disagreements with Welch over...

Born in an industrial family in Galveston, Texas, had a large share in the development of the Imperial Sugar Company in Sugar Land, Texas, and the development of industries there. Also was involved in the cotton industry and US Bank

An active member of NOW (National Organization for Women) since 1970, Betty Barnes was an advocate for women's rights and equal employment opportunities for Women. Barnes was an Instructor of Government at San Jacinto College, in Houston, Texas.

Former Roman Catholic Archbishop, Joseph Fiorenza is interviewed by David Goldstein. He answers questions about his education, the early years of his career, the Houston Catholic population, and the mission of the Catholic church in Houston.

Mayor Bill White Collection;Houston Oral History Project : a great city voices its past.

Hispanic American entrepreneur, restaurateur, and community activist, examines her involvement with the Hispanic community in Houston, and talks about race relations in the 1960s and 1970s, and about her restaurant business.